Indirect Purchasing Manager

Forseven, a revolutionary company looking to transform the EV industry through cutting-edge technology and innovative engineering practices, is seeking an exceptional Indirect Purchasing Manager – Contract Manufacturing to join our highly skilled and dynamic Strategic Sourcing Team.

This pivotal role will operate in a hybrid capacity out of one of our offices near Warwick, Bicester or Guilford where the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most visionary minds in the automotive field.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to become part of a scale-up, where your contributions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our forward-thinking company. With its rapid growth trajectory and dynamic nature, Forseven offers you an exceptional platform to help drive strategy as we expand into new horizons.

What's the opportunity

This role will recruit and develop a strong procurement team, establishing efficient processes and systems. They'll foster collaboration with other functions like manufacturing, logistics, and finance to align goals and enhance efficiency.

What you will do

• Contract Management : Take charge of end-to-end contract management processes, ensuring contracts are effectively negotiated, implemented, and monitored for compliance and performance.
• Cross-functional collaboration : Foster collaboration and alignment between procurement, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and direct purchasing teams. Work closely with these departments to develop integrated strategies that optimize the contract manufacturing process, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment with organizational goals and objectives. This collaboration will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall performance across the supply chain.
• Supplier Relationship Management : Cultivate strong relationships with contract manufacturing partners, leveraging these connections to optimise performance, drive innovation, and mitigate risks.
• Team Leadership : Recruit and develop a team with a culture a collaboration and high performance. Guide team members in executing their responsibilities effectively, providing mentorship, support, and professional development opportunities to ensure the achievement of departmental goals and objectives.
• Make v Buy – Manage all ‘Make’ RFQs and negotiations with the Contract manufacturer and support the decision-making process as a key member of a cross-functional team.
• Change Management - Manage commercial elements of the ECR (Engineering Change Request) process to ensure that cost changes requested by the Contract Manufacturer are justified and implemented.
• Regular Travel to Europe: Conduct regular visits to Europe to review contract manufacturing operations, strengthen relationships, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and improvement.

Who you are

• Extensive Procurement Experience: Demonstrated background in procurement or purchasing within a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive, with a successful track record of managing large-scale complex contracts and supplier relationships.
• Negotiation Expertise : Proven ability in negotiating contracts and managing supply bases from end to end, encompassing strategy development, sourcing, delivery, and ongoing management.
• Procurement Strategy Development : Proficient in formulating and executing clear procurement strategies, driving transformative change within the organisation to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
• Influential Communicator : Strong interpersonal and communication skills, adept at building networks and fostering relationships across all organisational levels to drive collaboration and achieve objectives.
• Team Leadership : Experience in building and leading high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the procurement function

About us and our culture…

At Forseven, we are more than just a team of professionals; we are dynamic innovators, visionary collaborators and trailblazers who believe in making a difference. Our passion lies in revolutionising the electric vehicle industry through our cutting-edge advancements and sustainable solutions that aim to transform the way transportation is perceived.

Currently operating under stealth mode, our focus is entirely directed towards achieving excellence as pioneers in creating sustainable mobility solutions which will help shape the future of transportation.

We're looking for enlightened individuals who possess an unwavering passion, relentless drive, and insatiable curiosity to question conventional norms and push beyond perceived limitations.